COURT REFUSES COSTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 74, 20 December 1933, Page 11

COURT REFUSES COSTS

Sir Hugh Denison v. “Truth”

Libel Action

JUDGE GIVES REASONS

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.

(Received December 19, 8.55 p.m.) Sydney, December 19.

Mr. Justice Haise Rogers refused plaintiff, Sir Hugh Denison, costs m his libel suit against “Truth.” A stay of proceedings was refused, the judge adding that although the jury’s verdict for one farthing damages was not contemptuous, it appeared to impeach plaintiff’s judgment in bringing the action. Therefore he would not grant a certificate of costs.

A libel suit brought by Sir Hugh Denison, chairman o£ Associated Newspapers, Limited, against "Truth” and "The Sportsman” Limited, to recover £lO,OOO damages, concluded last week after a long hearing. The jury returned a verdict in favour of plaintiff, assessing the damages at one farthing. The question of costs was held over. Plaintiff based his action on an article in “Truth” xt-hich, it was ’alleged, by innuendo charged him with abusing his position as chairman of the Royal Empire Society, also alleging that he was responsible for the publication of a. series of articles in the “Sun” and “Daily Telegraph” calculated to cause war in the Empire. Plaintiff further contended that Iruth had inferred that he had used these two papers for mercenary and dishonest purposes.